Hawthorns

Hawthorns Public Access Working Group

Quick links: 

  • PAWG Agenda Packets – Public Meetings page (search by Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group) 

  • PAWG Meeting Summaries – link in Public Portal 

  • PAWG Agenda Packets with Public Comments (posted a week after PAWG meeting) – link to Public Portal  

The Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is a 79-acre property located within the Town of Portola Valley and owned by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen). The property is currently closed to the public.

On June 28th 2023, Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group was officially formed. The Midpen Board of Directors appointed members to serve on the Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group. Working group members will collaborate with Midpen staff, District Ward Stakeholders, and elected official liaisons on a plan to introduce ecologically sensitive public access to the site in a manner consistent with Midpen vision and goals. All Public Access Working Group meetings are open to the public. Please click on the "Timeline" link below to access the meeting schedule.

The Working Group will evaluate the following public access components:  

  • Parking area and driveway location(s)  
  • Trailhead location(s) and internal trail system  
  • Trail connections with surrounding Town trails and pathways  
  • Opportunities for regional trail connections 
  • Proposed trail uses within the Hawthorns Area  

For more information about Hawthorns Area Plan meetings prior to the creation of the Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group, please visit the Hawthorns Area Plan website

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Public Access, Education, and Outreach
Public Access

Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Meeting Schedule  

(Please be sure to check back often as the schedule is subject to change, pending confirmation from working group members

July 27, 2023 

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Meeting 1: Kickoff 

Establish Working Group roles, goals, workplan, schedule, and operating procedures.

(AgendaAgenda Packet)

August 26, 2023 

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Meeting 2: Site visit 

Conduct in-person site tour and review existing site conditions. RSVPs will be requested for planning logistics.

(Agenda, Agenda Packet)

October 26, 2023 

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Meeting 3: Preliminary design discussion 

PAWG to discuss and provide input on draft parking and driveway design options, as well as internal connections, trailheads, trail uses, and local and regional connectivity opportunities. Receive public feedback. Select two co-chairs.

(Agenda, Agenda Packet)

December 16, 2023 

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Meeting 4: (LOCATION CHANGE to Midpen Administrative Office): Continuation of preliminary design discussion (site visit to be rescheduled)

PAWG to continue to discuss initial conceptual design alternatives including parking and driveway options, internal trail system and connections, trailheads, trail uses, and local and regional connectivity opportunities. Receive public feedback. 

(Agenda, Agenda Packet)

 

MEETINGS AFTER December 16, 2023 will be rescheduled to accommodate the site visit originally planned for December 16, 2023. The updated schedule responds to the PAWG’s feedback and request to continue their December 16th discussions and accommodates the schedules of the PAWG members, consultants and staff to the extent possible.

February 29, 2024

6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Meeting 5: Continuation of December 16, 2023 design discussion  

PAWG to discuss updated conceptual design alternatives including parking and driveway options, internal trail system and connections, trailheads, trail uses, and local and regional connectivity opportunities. Receive public feedback. 

(Agenda, Agenda Packet

March 24, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Meeting 6: Site meeting and design discussion 

Site visit to receive public feedback on Meeting 5’s conceptual design alternatives.

(Agenda, Agenda Packet

June 13, 2024

6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Meeting 7: Discuss and confirm recommendation

PAWG to discuss and confirm which trail and parking alternatives including trail uses to recommend to the District’s PNR Committee and subsequently to Board for consideration. Receive public feedback. 

(Agenda, Agenda Packet)